Should Your Dog Get Hydrotherapy?
If you are interested in increasing the quality of your furry friend’s life, you may be interested in having them try hydrotherapy. According to the American Kennel Club, this physical therapy uses “water to aid or improve health.” During typical sessions, which are led by certified hydrotherapists, canine companions will walk on a treadmill submerged in water at a rehabilitation center.
This zero-impact therapy will allow your furry friend to build up their strength and stamina, regardless of their mobility level. The West Chester Veterinary Medical Center reported that hydrotherapy is best suited for pets who have neurological conditions, have been diagnosed with osteoarthritis, suffer from hip dysplasia, are overweight, or have been paralyzed. While speaking to the AKC in 2022, Dr. Tari Kern, DVM, explained that the “underwater treadmill offers better ‘on-demand’ control of an exercise program and allows modifications to be made more specific.”
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“The depth of the water and speed of the treadmill can be quickly adjusted to provide different experiences for the pet. This allows the effects of the exercise to be tailored more specifically to the overall goal of hydrotherapy and each pet’s unique needs and possible limitations,” explained the vet.
While speaking to Insider in 2018, Dr. Leilani Alvarez of The Animal Medical Center shared similar sentiments and explained that the therapy is beneficial because furry friends “have to work against that water.”
“It actually helps you to get stronger than when you could float at the top now there is less weight through various parts of your body that might be painful,” said Dr. Alvarez.
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She went on to say that she has seen improvement in many of her patients, including those who have been paralyzed.
“I would treat a lot of patients that we have are paralyzed and the water is actually the best way to get them walking again because that buoyancy of the water, it helps support them and then that regular patterning of that treadmill gets their feet moving at the correct rhythm,” shared the specialist.
She also shared she motivates her patients by smearing a small amount of peanut butter on the interior glass of the hydrotherapy tank. It sounds like a tasty incentive to us!
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Has your dog ever tried hydrotherapy? Let us know in the comments below!